Standardised Medications Reviews for Frail Older Patients: Driving Change through Digital Documentation and Data
Background Frail older patients are at increased risk of adverse drug events due to polypharmacy and age-related pharmacokinetic changes. Standardised Medication Reviews (SMRs) are essential for optimising prescribing, reducing harm, and improving outcomes as part of comprehensive in-patient geriatric assessments. However, both inconsistent documentation and data capture limit their effectiveness. The implementation of an electronic prescribing platform within our organisation enables real-time SMR documentation and creates opportunities for service improvement. Methods In alignment with
Bridging the Gap: A Multi-Disciplinary Community Café Connecting Afro-Caribbean Communities to Dementia Research
Background: In 2024, 3.5% of patients reviewed in Dementia CNS clinics at St George’s Hospital, South-West London, identified as African or Afro-Caribbean according to audit data, despite the census recording the local population of these groups as over 10%. This underrepresentation is more concerning given national findings indicate that dementia rates are 22% higher among Black individuals in the UK compared to White counterparts. The disparity highlights systemic barriers to diagnosis, care, and research; emphasising the urgent need for culturally tailored outreach strategies. The aim of
Improving Measurement of Lying and Standing Blood Pressure in Elderly Patients Presenting with Falls.
How to capture valuable information on an Acute Frailty Unit- a Quality Improvement Project
Exploration Of Meaningful Activities For Older Adults In Acute Hospital: A Scoping Review
Background: The global population of people aged 65 years and over is expected to rise from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion by 2050. Many of these older adults have multiple comorbidities and functional impairments that make them particularly vulnerable during acute hospitalisation. Engagement in meaningful activities can be vital to older people’s care, particularly in acute hospitals. Evidence suggests that such engagement can have a positive impact on the patients’ hospital journeys. To ensure individualised support, it is important to understand the purpose of meaningful activities for
Differences between younger (≤80 years) and older (>80 years) patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Introduction To describe differences in the baseline characteristics of two distinct patient groups, ≤80 years and >80 years enrolled the North Glasgow Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection fraction ( HFpEF ) pilot project, a joint working project with Boehringer Ingelheim. Method This is a quality improvement/equity of access project to develop a blueprint of care using a multidisciplinary team approach to manage HFpEF. Following comprehensive clinical assessment, patient data was entered onto a database (Castor) and analysed, stratifying patients by age (≤80 vs >80 years). Results From 14th
Standardising Rockwood Clinical Frailty Score Into Community Rehabilitation Assessments
Introduction Ageing & Frailty Standards(1) highlights the importance of identifying frailty at the earliest opportunity. A Community Rehabilitation Service is in prime position to incorporate frailty screening into the electronic healthcare record (EHCR). Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)(2) is appropriate for this population however was not prompted within the assessment and as a result completion rates were low. The aim was to include the CFS Systematized Nomenclature of Medicines - Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT) code in the template for all people aged over 65 and monitor completion rates. Methods
Investigating the Impact of Anticholinergics on Memory Clinic
Improving Delirium Detection in Older Inpatients: A Quality Improvement Project on 4AT Tool Utilisation
Think Delirium: A Quality Improvement Project
Introduction Delirium affects up to 50% of older patients (aged over 65 years) in hospital and is associated with serious consequences including greater morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays with consequent hospital acquired complications, and an increased likelihood of hospital readmission. Early recognition prompting effective management is critical in improving outcomes for patients with delirium. Methods This QIP was conducted amongst Foundation Year 1 doctors (FY1) working across all wards in a busy district general hospital to improve knowledge of delirium through educational
Development and Implementation of a Mini Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (Mini-CGA) for the Community Resource Team, Newport
Examining inequalities and inequities across sex in hip fracture care in Cardiff
Background Hip fractures are a common fragility fracture in older people; more than 4,000 patients with a hip fracture in Wales were submitted to the National Hip Fracture Database in 2024. Survival rates have improved in recent years, however while women are twice as likely to sustain a hip fracture than men, the risk of dying is greater for men who sustain a hip fracture. Methods We conducted a retrospective comparison of the demographics, care received and outcomes across sex in patients with hip fracture in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in 2024. This included pre-existing
Improving the number of inpatient falls by introducing inpatient falls risk assessment by doctors in geriatric wards.
Introduction Inpatient falls remain a major healthcare challenge, with an average rate of 6.6 per 1,000 occupied bed-days in NHS England and Wales hospitals. Prevention of falls during hospital stay based on identifying and managing the modifiable risks are challenging. Multifactorial falls risk assessment and prevention action plan (MFRA FPAP) is a proforma booklet adopted by ABUHB. Methodology The initial QIP (2022–2024) revealed incomplete and poor-quality MFRA. Falls champions were introduced for a period of time, it showed an improvement, but was not sustained. Due to a rise in in-patient
Quality Improvement Project on Collateral History Taking For Geriatric Patients at a District General Hospital in South Wales
Silent Epidemic Undermining healthy Ageing
Introduction Sarcopenia, a progressive and generalised skeletal muscle disorder involving the accelerated loss of muscle mass and function, is a significant geriatric syndrome associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, including increased falls, frailty, disability, hospitalisations, and mortality. Despite its high prevalence, particularly in older adults, sarcopenia often remains under diagnosed in routine clinical practice, especially in outpatient settings where early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing progression and improving patient quality of life. Method 1
Frailty Nexus: Community of practice for frailty researchers and healthcare professionals
Background: There has been success in implementing frailty education for healthcare professionals, but there remains a need to improve the knowledge and skills of researchers and healthcare professionals to develop, implement and evaluate frailty-focused research. This paper describes how the Australian Frailty Network developed and evaluated a virtual community of practice (VCOP), a proven model for fostering knowledge mobilisation, to support researchers and healthcare professionals in advancing frailty research and practice in Australia. Methods: A survey of prospective members sought to
Atypical Legionella pneumonia in Geriatric Practice: Diagnostic complexity and domestic hot tub as source of infection.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Data Analysis
Implementing a care home-specific falls service in Lambeth and Southwark
Introduction: Falls are common in people living in care homes (CHs). London Ambulance Service (LAS) data indicated four out of the ten London CHs with the highest conveyance to hospital were in Lambeth and Southwark. Secondary care and community services were unable to provide prompt consultation and address educational needs of staff required to prevent and manage CH falls. Method: The Lambeth and Southwark CH Falls Prevention group was established in 2022 by local care partnerships to explore ways to improve the approach to falls. Following an audit of falls-related service gaps, a Care Home
An overview of the Dementia UK Consultant Admiral Nurse service supporting families affected by frailty and dementia
Abstract Content: Introduction: Emerging and increasing frailty often goes unidentified, and families living with dementia and frailty are missing vital opportunities to receive the right support at the right time. People living with frailty are less able to adapt to stress factors such as acute illness, injury, or changes in their environment, personal or social circumstances, leading to adverse health outcomes and an earlier loss of independence. Method: We have developed a unique and innovative National frailty Consultant Admiral Nurse service to address this concern. This service was